Operator for flow control devices



fp 1950 J. R. GOLDEN 2,523,013

OPERATOR FOR FLOW CONTROL DEVICES Filed May 5, 1945 (haw/960L125 BY wok ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 19, 1950 :TWUNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE John R. Golden, Hammond, Ind;

. Application May 5, 1945, Serial No. 592,227

I This invention. relates. to improvements in a flow control device and is especially adapted. for employment in reservoirs or other containers for starting a flow when the liquid level therein falls below- -a predetermined level and to stop such flow when the liquid reaches a desired predetermined level. The present construction is an improvement over the structure set forth in my prior Patent No. 2,306,535, issued December 29, 1942.

In previous structures considerable difficulty has I developed in controls of the kind here set forth when the devices were used in certain liquids. Hard water for instance so corroded the working parts, especially slidably engageableparts, that considerable friction was created which seriously impaired their efiiciency and dependability. The corrosion so formed occasionally prevented the complete closing of the control device which resulted in leakage with its attendant noises.

It is one of the principal objects of the present invention to overcome the objectional features of prior constructions by producing a structure in which slidably engageable surfaces are reduced to a minimum and the mechanical advantage of the operating lever is increased so..-

tliat sticking and nonclosing tendencies are successfully overcome. Moreover the reduction of slidably engageable surfaces provides a long wearing practically indestructable device.

Another object of advantage and importance of? the improved. device of this invention resides in the provision of means whereby parts may be quickly and easily replaced without the necessity ofdismantling the entire structure;

A further object of importance is the provision of means for converting rotational movement of two associated parts into axial movement. Furthermore parts of the improved structure may be: stamped from stock thus greatly reducing production costs as compared to costly machining or casting as required byprior structures.

2 Claims. (Cl. 74-405),

The reference numeral It indicates generally an inlet pipe which is attached by a union nut [.2 to a valve body [3. The valve body l3is provided with an outlet boss l4 into which a discharge pipe 5. issecured. Projecting upwardly from the outlet boss 14 is a tube receiving. member I6- which is adapted toreceive the. end of a refill tube or pipe, not shown.

Extending horizontally from the central rear portion of the body ['3 is an integral portion which forms a substantially U-shaped bracket 20. The bracket is provided with aligned bearings H in which valve. stem 22 is journalled. The valve-stem 22 is provided with a restricted portion 23 upon which an operating member 24 may be positioned. The operating member 24 is freely rotatable in respect to the stem upon which it is. mounted and one end of the member slidably engages a shoulder of the stem 22 as is best shown in Figs. 3 and 4 toimpart axial movement thereto. It is to be noted that the operating member 24 may rotate freely in' respect to the portion 25 to which an operating lever 26 may be pivotally secured as by a screw 21. The operating lever 26 is provided with a boss 30in which an adjustment screw 3| is positioned as is best shown in Figs. 2, 3and4. The adjustment screw 31 is adapted'to selectively position the operating lever 26 in respect to the operating member 24. The operating lever 26 is adapted to receive the end ofa float rod 32, the float portion of which is not shown.

Projecting radially from the operating member 24 as is best shown in Fig. l' is a stud 33. The stud 33 may be secured to the operating member 24" in any suitable manner or may bean integral portion of the member.

Pivotally' secured tothe bracket 20 as by a screw 34 is a stud engaging member 35. It is to be noted that the pivot point of the stud engaging member 35 is not in alignment with the axis of the valve stem 22. Consequently the member is prevented from rotating to a centered position or beyond in which it would prevent opening of the valve as hereinafter more fully explained. The stud engaging member 35 may be stamped from sheet or plate material and is provided with 3 a recessed portion 36 which in assembly operably receives the stud 33.

The axis of rotation of the stud engaging member 35 is normal to the axis of the operating member 24. Consequently when these two members are joined at a given point and rotated in unison one is forced along its axis. This axial movement which in the present instance is confined to the operating member 24 is utilized for moving the valve stem or shaft 22.

It is to be noted that both stud 33 and stud engaging member 35 may be easily and quickly removed for inspection, repairs or replacement without the aid of special tools and equipment and without the necessity of dismantling the device. Additionally both of these items may be economically manufactured as compared to cast or machined operating parts commonly used.

Operation of the improved device of this invention is as follows: Assume for instance that the improved device is installed in a conventional flush tank which has been filled to its selected level. Under such conditions the device assumes the position in which it is shown in Fig. 2. The float rod 32 is in horizontal position, the adjustment screw 3| engages the operating member 24 .and the engagement and rotation of the stud 33 and stud engaging member 35 has moved the valve stem 22 axially to close the valve (not shown) to cut off the water supply.

Now assume that the tank is flushed, the lowering water level carries the float and float rod 32 downwardly which movement rotates the operating member 24 in a counterclockwise direc' tion as viewed in Fig. 2. This rotation of member 24 causes a counterclockwise movement of the stud engaging member and because a pressure is exerted against the valve head, the

valve stem 22 and operating member 24 being out of alignment with pivot screw 34 are moved from the positions in which they are shown in Fig. 3 to the positions in which they are shown in Fig.

4. The supply line is now fully opened and flow.

members now causes axial movement of the operating member 24 and valve stem 22 from the positions in which they are shown in Fig. 4 to the positions in which they are shown in Fig. 3. The axial movement of the valve stem 22 closes the valve and the cycle of operation is completed.

It is to be noted that in the valve closing movement of the improved device of this invention the ratio of axial movement of the valve stem to the movement of the float rod decreases as the valve "nears its closing position. During movement in the opposite direction this ratio change is reversed. Consequently when the tank is emptyin the supply valve opens slowly but increases its opening speed as the water level recedes. Accordingly a full supply of water is not delivered into the tank until that member is substantially empty. Close adjustment of water supply may therefore be maintained and waste eliminated or greatly reduced.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that herein is provided a highly efficient and durable control device which may be economically produced and maintained in service. Moreover the device is extremely simple and all working parts are easily accessible for repairs or replacement.

It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the improved device appertains that numerous changes and alterations in construction may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. Accordingly, the patent granted hereon is not to be limited to the preferred embodiment here shown or in any other manner except as is necessitated by the terminology of the appended claims when given the range of equivalents to which they may be entitled.

I claim:

1. In a valve, a body having a pair of spaced bearings, a shaft disposed in said bearings for axial movement, an operating member rotatably positioned on said shaft intermediate said spaced bearings, said operating member being movable axially between said bearings, a stud projecting radially from said operating member, a stud engaging member pivoted adjacent one of said bearings and being operable upon rotation of said operating member to engage said stud to cause axial movement of said operating member and said shaft, and means for connecting a float rod to said operating member.

2. In a valve having a reciprocating stem, actuating mechanism for said valve comprising, a first member rotatably positioned on said stem, cooperating means on said stem and said member operable to cause axial movement of said stem and member to be in unison, and a second rotatable member operably associated with said first member, said first and second members being connected when rotated to cause axial and rotative movement of said first member and axial movement of said stem at an accelerated rate.

JOHN R. GOLDEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 

